Genesis 16, Genesis 21, Galatians 4:22-31
Honestly, I never liked Hagar.

But then I never put myself in her sandals. 

She was a slave. She never had any choice about how her life would go. Although, sometimes we feel like we have no choice, I don’t think in the modern U.S. we can quite imagine her predicament fully.

She was an Egyptian. She may have been given to Sarah by the king of Egypt when he asked them to leave after the debacle of taking Sarah into his harem. Then she was given to become Abraham’s secondary wife when Sarah could not conceive.
I don’t want to imagine that! But Hagar obeyed her master.

Once Sarah had taken matters of providing an heir into her own hands (instead of God’s) and insisted Abraham take Hagar as a wife and Hagar conceived, the servant Hagar despised her mistress Sarah.
Note, Abraham like Adam went along with his wife’s plan. It’s interesting how much influence wives can wield over their husbands.

How did Hagar act when it says she despised Sarah? Perhaps proudly with boasts or insultingly with cruel remarks to Sarah. Or maybe with just snide looks and ugly smirks. As women, we’ve seen or possibly given those. Somehow though, Hagar thinks herself in a higher position now than Sarah, and she lets Sarah know it.

And pride goes before Hagar’s fall.

Sarah complained to Abraham, and he left Hagar out to dry, telling Sarah to do whatever she thought best. So Hagar had been wrong in her assumptions of her place, no matter her intimacy with Abraham. That probably hurt.

Sarah mistreated Hagar so badly (I’m not sure how, beatings, maybe?) that she ran away into the dry wilderness. Perhaps back toward Egypt.  Alone and pregnant, she must have been pretty desperate to do so. She doesn’t seem to stop until she’s out of water, probably weary and parched. Hopeless. Pregnancy and desert running are not a good mix.

Then God shows up.

Maybe I shouldn’t have been so quick to dislike Hagar. Because I’ve committed the sin of pride. And in the past, I’ve found myself running until I can run no more. I was at the end of my own strength. Then I finally listened for God’s truth. Sadly, because I had nowhere else to turn.

So God sent an angel to Hagar. He tells her to go back and serve her mistress and submit. Interesting— God sends a messenger for an Egyptian servant. He still cares for her, no matter her race or background.

And Hagar obeyed God.

Occasionally God may have to send some sort of messenger to remind me to submit when I become prideful. Whether it’s a friend or a health problem or a sermon. Ever happen to you?

Hagar makes this testimony. “You are the God who sees me.”
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He sees us too. And I’m so blessed by that.
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What are your thoughts?
 

Hi friends,
Several of you indicated interest in continuing with updates on my study of women in the Bible. This week, my notes are on Sarah. Please, feel free to leave your comments and thoughts.

                                                  Sarah
By the time in ancient history when Sarah lived, most people worshiped idols. Possibly Abraham and Sarah did as well. But God chose Abraham and called him out of the place he lived to follow Him. Sarah followed too. She was sixty-five when she left everything and everyone she knew. Only my opinion, I believe that took faith, not just for Abraham, but for Sarah too.

Sarah’s name, originally Saria, meant princess. Apparently this princess of a woman was extremely beautiful. So beautiful that twice, when Abraham had to go into foreign lands for food, he asked her to pretend to be his sister, so men wouldn’t kill him to get to her. These ruling men from other lands did indeed find her amazingly lovely, and they took her into their harem. The commentary I read assumes they didn’t defile her because God sent sickness onto those households until they returned her to Abraham. Either way, I can’t imagine how scary and creepy it would be to have my husband allow other men to take me to their homes.

Sarah suffered from the disappointment of infertility. I haven’t been there myself, but I’ve heard from other women how emotionally painful that is. Each month hopeful, only to be disappointed again—watching other women have child after child with no problem, feeling like a failure, and possibly angry with their body.
When Sarah still didn’t have a child for Abraham, she decided to take matters into her own hands and offer her servant as a surrogate for her husband. Isn’t it like us women to try to solve problems for God? We can be so impatient that we just can’t wait for His timing. I’ve often found myself in this state of trying to fix things ahead of God’s plan. This usually does not go well!

Things didn’t go well Sarah either when she took over for God. Genesis says Sarah’s servant Hagar began to despise Sarah, so Sarah treated her cruelly. I don’t know what Hagar did, but I believe Sarah suffered from the green-eyed monster of jealousy. Been there and done that. It’s easy to fall into that trap, even with much less cause than what Sarah had. We can look at what we believe to be other women’s nice houses, their well-behaved children, or their in-shape figures, then compare and find ourselves lacking. Comparison never goes well either. J

Finally, God came and announced to Abraham that Sarah would have a child. Meanwhile, Sarah was eavesdropping in the tent and laughed at the idea because she was so old by this time. When confronted about it, she lied to save face. Um, eavesdropping…I’m guilty. Lying to save face…sadly, ditto.

God kept his promise to Sarah because He always keeps his promises. She had her son. Can you imagine her joy in her old age to have that little boy? I can envision her smile with each milestone—that first step, the first word.

Despite her mistakes, Sarah was commended in the New Testament for her faith in God and also for being a good wife to Abraham. Whew. I’m so thankful to know that despite our failures, trying to take things into our own hands, and bouts of jealousy, God is graceful with us.

I hope you have a great week!
Blessings,
Janet

                                                            My thoughts about Eve
Eve was in the most beautiful, perfect place ever with her husband. God walked with them in the evening. All of her needs were met. Yet, she wanted just one more thing. I think many women can relate to that. I shop when I have a closet full of clothes and a house full of things. Am I the only one?
About walking in the evening with God--
Most days, I walk in my wooded neighborhood, and I often try to imagine Him walking with me. (Authors have big imaginations.) I feel the wind in my hair and hear the sound of birds in the trees, and I thank Him for not giving up on me, despite my many blunders.

Scripture identifies that Satan was the one acting through the serpent who tempted Eve. (2 Cor. 11:3 Rev 12:9) The strategy is to drive a wedge between man and God. Sin always drives wedges. Satan questions God’s Word and motives and love. Satan doesn’t mind lying or twisting the truth. Eve gave up her confidence in God’s provision of her needs. At times, I have done this as well, and I went my own way. I went searching for the wrong things to provide happiness. Those choices did not provide true joy, and they often led to disaster.

Once Eve and Adam (who was standing right beside her!) took the fruit and sinned, they hid from God, crushed with guilt and shame. They blamed others for their choices. I’ve been there, done that—played the blame-game. Sin kills our relationships with each other and God.
Yet…
God sacrificed to cover Adam and Eve with clothing, as He sacrificed His son to cover our sins years later.
Eve was the first mother, and she went through the pain of losing a child too soon. She went through the horror of having a murderer for a son. She knew heartache over her children. I know many can relate to that as well, yet God can comfort.
I was surprisingly encouraged studying Eve. What are your thoughts on her?
If you’re interested in receiving weekly thoughts on women in the Bible, just reply to this blog post and let me know.
Blessings,
Janet
 
 

Hi Friends,
When anxiety threatens to overwhelm us, God is still in control.


He was not taken by surprise by anything going on in the world today. 


We can give Him our burdens and trust that He loves us.


Now is a wonderful time to offer positive faith-filled messages to a world in chaos. (Of course, when hasn't the world had chaos?)


Some of my favorite quotes come from Corrie Ten Boon. Here's one I'd offer you today.


“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”


If you'd like to know more about Corrie Ten Boon, here's a link.


While all the staying at home is going on, I'm leaving my 4-book Southern Hearts eBook Series at 99 cents, if you need something to read. Click here. Amazon


Another newly started place for reading discounts (and more) is 1531 Entertainment.
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Of course, God's Word is the best place to find comfort. I love listening to the Word on BibleGateway.com or the YouVersion Bible app.
Psalm 121 
I will lift up my eyes to the hills--
From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.
Blessings in Him,
Janet
Let me know if I can say a specific prayer for you or yours.

Luke 15 The Parable of the Lost Sheep15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Hi Friends!  I hope your 2020 is starting well!
I've been in a local Christian fiction book club for many years----before I ever thought of writing a novel. I thought it would be fun to share with you what we read in 2019 and our plans for reading in 2020!
A quick note that I had a Bookbub deal this week, so The Art of Rivers is only 99 cents through the 30th. Here's the link on Amazon!
Okay, last year's novels:
Here Burns My Candle Liz Curtis Higgs
Heir of Hope Stephenia McGee
If I’m Found Terri Blackstock
All Made Up Kara Isaac
The Masterpiece Francine Rivers
Before We Were Yours Lisa Wingate
A Broken Kind of Beautiful Katie Ganshert
The Art of Rivers Janet W. Ferguson
The House on Foster Hill  Jaime Jo Wright
The Lady and the Mountain Man Misty M. Beller
The Christmas Heirloom: Four Holiday Novellas Witemeyer et al
Star Rising by Janet W. Ferguson
I can honestly say I enjoyed every one of these!! And they were kind enough to read 2 of my novels. They are my Guinea pigs, LOL!
The 2020 List!
If I Live Terri Blackstock
Whose Waves These Are  Amanda Dykes
Christmas Roses Amanda Cabot
The Lady and the Mountain Doctor Misty M. Beller
The End of the Magi Patrick Carr
The Line Between Tosca Lee
The Plum Blooms in Winter Linda Thompson
Mine is the Night Liz Curtis Higgs
Isaiah's Daughter Mesu Andrews
Claiming Mariah Pam Hillman
Five Days in Skye Carla Laureano
Have you read any of these books? Are you in a book club? I'd love to hear some of your favs. Leave a comment on my blog here! 

​I just wanted to let you know Star Rising is live today! I've included a favorite scene set at the Bunratty Castle. We almost didn’t go, because some of the travel books said that it was too touristy. Apparently, we like touristy stuff!

The castle sits on a good bit of land where they have a folk park. In that area, they try to recreate life in Irish history with a little village that demonstrates the old ways of doing things. Picture thatched roofs on stone cottages. Then, we toured the castle and had a medieval banquet there. They had singers, harpists, other instruments being played, and actors who entertained, while we ate a meal served family-style at long banquet tables. No silverware, just your fingers to eat with, LOL!

Here’s a small excerpt of Star Rising, where the hero Paul is picked to be the “scoundrel” by the actors and forced to sing a song to be set free. Don’t worry, because he deserves the punishment/embarrassment at this point in the story!
“Fetch the prisoner from the dungeon.” The earl clapped his hands, and the two men escorted Paul back to the stage but remained at his side. “The king and queen have resolved to grant mercy on our villain. But first the scoundrel must”—the actor gave a dramatic pause, waggling his eyebrows, and Paul readied himself for more humiliation—“perform a melody of their Royal Highness’s choosing.”
Yep. More humiliation. Good thing he’d had a few glasses of wine.
“What will you have the scoundrel sing, Your Majesties? Danny Boy? I’m a Little Teapot? Don’t Go Drinking with Hobbits?”
Paul groaned. Star and Will had to come up with better choices than those.
Star shot an apologetic look Paul’s way, then leaned close to Will. They discussed back and forth, shaking their heads as they selected his penalty.
Finally, Star nodded, and Will smiled. Will stood and shouted, “Do you know Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey? Maybe a little dance to go with it?”
Paul rolled his eyes. “Unfortunately.” One of his boss’s girlfriends had been a huge Journey fan and had played the group on the plane every flight. Plus, most every cover band in the world played that song.
“We’ve a treaty, then.” The earl raised one hand high in the air. “Singing and dancing to Don’t Stop Believin’. We will judge if your frolicking entails the proper amount of punch.” Wiggling his hips, the earl turned in a circle, and the audience laughed. “Go forth, scoundrel.”
Paul did his best to get out of trouble! I think you’ll enjoy the scene when you get to it in the book!
This was a fun book to write. It has funny moments like this one, but it also grapples with having faith when life falls apart. I hope you like it!
You can order your copy on Amazon Barnes & Noble iBooks or Kobo now for 2.99!

Well, my blog will only allow so many pictures in one post!! Wish I could post them all!! Christian fiction readers, bloggers, and writers are a wonderful, supportive group to be a part of!

I'm praying right now for God's blessings and peace and hope in Christ for you during this busy season :) Let me know what you're up to! Can I pray for you? Leave a comment or message me!
Sincerely,
Janet

Get Jennifer's book When I Come Home Again on Amazon Here for $2.99
Get Misty's book Freedom in the Mountain Wind for 99 cents on these retailers: 
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YX9DCJ5
https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1482956428
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/freedom-in-the-mountain-wind
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/freedom-in-the-mountain-wind-misty-m-beller/1134011817?ean=2940163594061
https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Misty_M_Beller_Freedom_in_the_Mountain_Wind?id=CWy1DwAAQBAJ
Preorder my novel Star Rising for $2.99 on these retailers
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z4B6Y4F?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420
https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1485295503
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/star-rising
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/star-rising-janet-w-ferguson/1134431372
​

A wise teacher once told me, “Be thankful for a normal day.”  She’d been through some extremely difficult times, and she’d learned to appreciate the days when nothing serious was happening—when she wasn’t in the midst of a storm.  I’ve tried to remember that over the years. I’ve heard to be thankful when the laundry is piled high, because you have clothes, and when the dishes are dirty, because you have food. To be thankful when politicians argue, because, in our country, they can.
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And that’s all so true.

But what I’ve also tried to learn, as I’ve grown older, is to be thankful for something—anything—when I am in the storm. When it is not a normal day.
All of us have challenging times, whether over health or finances or family or jobs. It’s so hard to get off the hamster wheel of anxiety during those times. Fear tries to shackle us.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) says:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

When anxiety or depression locks us down, clutches our chests, steals our breath, the writer of Philippians instructs us to pray with thanksgiving. That’s incredibly difficult. Impossible, even, without God.

But I believe that tactic works, because we are in a battle, and thankfulness can be a weapon.

So when we’re in the storm and under the harshest trials, can we find something to give thanks for? A sunset, a pillow, a friend’s call, a roof, a butterfly, a pet, running water…forgiveness, mercy, freedom. If we really try to count our blessings, like that old hymn says, we may find comfort and remember that God is in control.

It would be pretty boring writing without you, my friends, on this journey! 
I am thankful for you!
Blessings to you and your loved ones this Thanksgiving!
What are you thankful for this year?
You can leave a comment below :) 

P.S. If you feel like reading over the holidays, here are some Christian or clean novels at free or 99 cents Nov. 28-Dec. 2. Click this link to find them and enjoy! 
​Link to books