The Ephesus Pages Devotional: Ties That Bind Us

 “I point to the weak moments in my life not to offer evidence of who I am, but to illustrate where my path has taken me.  Finding your way amid the chaos of what lies within is never easy, dear one, but facing that chaos will show you the way of glory. In finding my way, I found confidence in who I was created to be...”

~ John Mark ~

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At this point in John Mark’s story, he is beginning to see that there are things in his life that are worth reflecting upon. One aspect of life he is beginning to understand is that it is often the weakest moments that reveal the most to us. We should not see our weaknesses as stains upon who we are but as opportunities for growth and transformation. There is beauty found in our struggles, and they are the very foundation of what our strengths become. 

The Ephesus Pages Devotional: The Pathfinder's Way

 "In the past, there had always been someone for me to lean on and at this point in my life, there was no one to keep me focused. The pain that began throbbing upon my forehead left me motionless at times. Pride had no place in this battle and my spirit grew heavier with every chaotic thought that found its way to the forefront of my mind." ~ John Mark ~

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We often find ourselves in moments that leave us feeling utterly alone. In the first episode of The Ephesus Pages: A Journey Begins, John Mark finds himself in a similar situation. He is burdened by the weight of his thoughts and by the absence of support. These words can resonate with anyone who feels they are facing a season of solitude and struggle. However, it is in these moments that we can find significant growth and build a more purposeful connection with God.

The Ephesus Pages Devotional: The Prologue

 “It is never easy to place our trust in something unknown, or that may seem impossible, but part of what we are called to do in this life is to let go. The time is near, the path ahead is there waiting for you to place your feet upon, all you have to do is take that first step.”

~ Barnabas to John Mark ~

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There are many things that drive us to fear what we cannot pretend to understand. In the journey of life, we often encounter moments of uncertainty and doubt. The paths set before us are always going to be there, and it is when we face those moments that we are encouraged to put our trust in something bigger. In my newest series, The Ephesus Pages: A Journey Begins, Barnabas encourages John Mark with the words written above just before he leaves to pursue reconciliation with Paul, someone he did not end on good terms with in the past.

The Ephesus Pages Devotional: An Introduction

Greetings, 

One of my favorite things about releasing The Ephesus Pages: A Journey Begins is that there are many quotable moments in the story. While it was not my intent to do this, that is what happened and I have been seeking confirmation about doing this for a few weeks. When I asked God to give me a story that focused more on Paul and some of his Missionary Journeys, the city of Ephesus stuck out to me deeply. 

Let's Wrap up 2024

Where to begin?

I rarely get sentimental or personal about aspects of my life outside of writing and encouraging others, but I have to say 2024 was a whirlwind of chaos and unpredictability. It has been a year of drastic change and a great deal of learning and discovery. While I began the year on a huge positive note by completing the novel, The Cyprus Journal, and then releasing it on Orthodox Easter, things quickly changed. 

Book Reviews: Reconciled Runaway by D.M. Griffin

Greetings, 

Rating: ★★★★★

Description:

Snatched from his Jewish home in the Holy Land by the clutches of Rome, Onesimus found himself living a life he wasn't supposed to live. As a young boy, he thought he was settling a family debt. Instead, he was sold into slavery. With no control over his own fate, Onesimus let bitterness fuel his rebellious choices well into adulthood. He began running away from God long before he ran away from his earthly master, Philemon. 

The Ephesus Pages: A Journey Begins

 
Greetings, 

I'm so excited to let everyone know that The Ephesus Pages: A Journey Begins is now available for download.  It is crazy to think that this story started off as an eight-part mini-series and has now developed into three different parts of the same story. While Part I: A Journey Begins released today, Part II: Mysteries in Ephesus is still being written and should be ready in the first quarter of 2025. It will be uploaded as additional content to the story that released today when the time is right.